NHER 52563 (Monument record) - Medieval and post-medieval features

April 2008. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of proposed redevelopment site.
Numerous Neolithic finds and Iron Age pottery, along with possible Bronze Age ring ditches and barrows suggest prehistoric occupation near the site. It is likely that a Roman settlement lay outside Stalham, although the discovery of a Roman urned cremation within the walls of St Mary's Churchyard may indicate a possible funerary site nearby. Evidence of an Anglo-Saxon settlement in Stalham is limited, but this may be due to the lack of archaeological surveying in the area. Fieldwalking in the area has produced late saxon finds to the north west and south east of the town. The Domesday Survey notes four manorial estates in medieval Stalham. The church was built in the 14th century, suggesting settlement expansion. There is high potential for medieval and post- medieval archaeological remains. The north and north-west of the site may preserve undisturbed early deposits.
See report (S1) for further information.
H. White (NLA), 11 December 2008.

October 2009. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site.
The three trenches excavated revealed medieval features comprising ditches, gullies, pits and two possible large field boundaries. The pottery assemblage included an early Saxon sherd, medieval north Norfolk coursewares and late medieval medieval green glazed and Raeren stoneware. Ceramic building material dating from the medieval to post-medieval period was also recovered.
See report (S2) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S3).
S. Howard (NLA), 7 December 2009.

December 2009. Excavation.
Excavation of small area adjacent to High Street frontage (Phase 1).
There were 19 pits recorded spread across the site with 14 containing datable material including post-medieval ceramic building material and 11th to 14th century pottery. It is possible that the pits may represent localised quarrying. Nine linear features were observed that may be ditches and/or gullies and could mark the edges of a medieval plot of land. A linear feature running north-south may have been formed by rutting caused by medieval vehicles such as carts, which appears to have silted up during the 14th and 15th centuries. There were 29 post-holes of medieval and post-medieval date.
See assessment report (S4) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S3).
The associated archive has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2011.117).
S. Howard (HES), 28 February 2011. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 12 May 2019.

June 2010. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with redevelopment of area adjacent to High Street (Phase 1).
No archaeologically significant features or deposits observed.
See assessment report (S4) for further details.
An archive associated with this phase of work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2025.131).
P. Watkins (HES), 24 August 2015. Amended 24 August 2025.